Looking for help/guidance as a heavy/broad framed sleeper

Mattress Talk General Mattresses Questions
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Hi all,

I’m so delighted to discover this website/forum exists! I’ve been struggling with restlessness caused by thoracic spine pain for some time (waking up 5-6 times a night), and have gone through many different configurations to try and resolve the issue with only minimal improvement. My current set up is, essentially, mimicking a zero gravity sleep position without the adjustable mattress (folded up mattress topper under my legs, five or six pillows arrayed to prop up my back)

I’ve spent the past week reading every article on the website, and am thinking about buying an all-latex mattress with a very firm support layer and a very soft comfort layer. What has led me to this conclusion is my sleeping position (fall asleep on my back, but shift to my sides through the night), my build (6’2", athletic, very broad shoulders, 4+inches when measured from under the arm, weighing 215-220 lbs, tendency toward anterior pelvic tilt (lower back pain if I don’t sleep with a pillow under my legs).

Some questions I had (and I’d love any feedback/alternate suggestions from anyone reading!):

-In one of the articles, it mentions that sometimes a mattress with two zones would be beneficial for my particular body type. Is this recommended?

-Would I be better suited to a medium density latex given my weight? I’ve been looking at a SleepEZ 13" mattress with two 3 inch layers of soft talalay and two 3 inch layers of extra firm dunlop.

-Would anyone recommend a hybrid mattress for my particular situation? I’m open to hybrid but it seems from my reading that all latex will do a fine job.

-A contradiction I’ve been struggling with is: with a broad/heavy upper body, if I’m laying on my back I need support to prevent my shoulders from caving in as my body sinks in to the mattress, so, firmness. However, then if I am lying on my side, if the mattress is firm there is immense shoulder pain due to no room for my shoulders to sink in to the mattress. If anyone has figured out a solution to this problem, I’d love to hear it!

-I’d love to hear experiences from anyone with my similar body type and what worked for you.

I’ll be going to a local store (organic bedroom) to try out some latex mattresses soon, but just thought I’d ask for some help here as well. Appreciate anyone who takes the time to comment, and am so thankful for this website and all the dedicated contributors to this forum!

Thanks

@BackScience
@CST

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It’s great that you’re doing your research and trying to find the right mattress to address your thoracic spine pain and other concerns! It’s definitely a worthwhile investment in your health and well-being.

As a chiropractor and mattress designer, I’ve worked extensively to create mattresses that promote proper spinal alignment and alleviate pain, so I’d like to offer some insights, particularly regarding how Back Science might help.

You’ve described a complex situation with thoracic spine pain, a need for both back and side sleeping support, broad shoulders, and a tendency towards anterior pelvic tilt. This means you need a mattress that can balance your spine and not just be soft over firm, since that won’t properly distribute your body’s weight and size apportionment. Here’s how our Back Science mattress would help to address your needs:

  • Lumbar-Flex Zoned Support: Our patented Lumbar-Flex Zoned Support is a key feature. It’s a patent pending way to provide extra lumbar support, while still allowing the shoulders and lighter leg areas to sink in enough to counter balance the spine and prevent the hammocking which will cause pressure over time in your back and shoulders.
  • Hybrid Construction: Back Science mattresses are hybrids, combining the support of our over 1000 Count pocketed coils with the comfort of our Hypergel foam. This construction is crucial for your situation. The coils provide underlying support to prevent while the foam layers offer pressure relief.
  • Shoulder Pressure Relief: The hypergel-infused foam is designed to contour to your body and relieve pressure points. In a side-sleeping position, this foam can allow your shoulders to sink in slightly, reducing pressure and pain. While latex is a very supportive material, it just doesn’t offer the same high level pressure relief, which is why our Hypergel testing out performed latex with our customers.
  • Firmness with Adaptability: The Back Science Series 2 mattress is a luxury firmness that will properly support your frame by giving that comfortable top layer especially necessary for your shoulders, while giving you the balance back support you need as both a back and side sleeper**.**

As mentioned, I’d recommend taking a closer look at the Back Science Series 2 Hybrid. It offers a good balance of support and pressure relief, and should for any reason the mattress not provide you the proper combination of pressure relief and support, we offer our GripLock modular cover system that allows us to fine tune the mattress firmness and even zoning to ensure you get the absolute best results for your mattress and there is no cost to do any of these modifications during our 365-Night trial.

I encourage you to visit our website at www.BackScience.com to learn more. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

Thanks!

Dr. Rick Swartzburg, D.C.

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